Scandals of Jin

During the Spring and Autumn period, the Zhou dynasty's centuries-old culture of ritual and music gradually declined, while the central plains' feudal lords vied for supremacy in a rapidly changing struggle. At this time, Duke Xian of Jin was losing his ambition to advance, infatuated as he was with the sisters Li Ji. It was then that the Jin prince Chong'er was born.

Chong'er grew up carefree, kind, and innocent, never realizing that he was being drawn against his will into a treacherous struggle for the throne. Before he had even come of age, he was inexplicably enfeoffed in a distant land and driven out of the capital. Later, he was accused of conspiring with the heir apparent to rebel and was repeatedly hunted down. Though Chong'er had no disloyal intentions, he retreated again and again until there was nowhere left to go, and was forced to begin nineteen years in exile. In the eyes of his uncle Hu Yan, Chong'er was clever but far too timid and naive. Determined to follow him and reshape him, will Hu Yan succeed? During his exile, Chong'er traveled from one state to another. What hardships did he endure? What strange, passionate, or perilous adventures did he encounter? What made him conceive and stand firm in his ambition to reclaim his state? How did he survive one close call after another, proceed with careful planning, endure hardships beyond what ordinary people could imagine, and ultimately fulfill his dream of restoration? After taking the throne, how did he govern with diligence, care for his people, relieve their suffering, and support the king while aiding the weak, raising Jin to power and making it the next hegemon of the central plains? This novel will lead you into the legendary story of 2,600 years ago to find the answers.